Improvement in meters for measuring electricity



lIIIIIIIIIIllIIII/l K IIIIl/lllldI/I/llll/ll/III/Illrill/I1!!! MPEYERS.PHOTD-LITHOGRARNER. WASHINGTON. D C.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

'B. F. CARD. Meter for Measuring Electricity.

g g f atented Dec. 30,1879.

N. FFIERS, PHOTD-LITHOGRAPNER, WASHINGTON. a C.

a Shetsi-sheet 3.

. B. F. CARD.

Meter for Measuring Electricity.

- N0. 223,112. Patented Dec. 30,1879.

NJEFERS, FHQTO-LIIHOGRAPNER. WASHKNGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OYFFIGEQ BENJAMIN F. CARD, OF BROOKLYN, NEVVYORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN METERS FOR MEASURING ELECTRICITY.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 223,}li2, datedDecember 30, 1879} application filed December 14, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. CARD, of the city of Brooklyn, county ofKings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Electrometers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to measure or determine the quantity orintensity of electricity by means of the mechanism hereinafterdescribed.

The invention is based on thefact that a bar or rodrof soft uutemperediron placed within a helix through which a current of electricity ispassed will be drawn within said helix by means of induction; and itconsists of a helix and bar so arranged that, by means of induction,said bar will be drawn upward while the current is passing, and thismotion of the bar, by means of mechanism hereinai'i er explained, causesthe revolution of an index-arm over a measured scale, the speed of whichis varied by the positionin which a friction-wheel is brought in contactwith a friciion-cone, as will be more fully explained.

The construction and operation are as follows:

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of referenceindicate like parts, Figure 1 represents a plan or top View, partiallyin section. Fig. 1* shows the arrangement of the balanceweight. Fig. 2is a front View, partially in section. Fig. 3 is a crosssection in theline X X, Fig. 1, showing the bearings of the cone. Fig. 4 is a sideelevation of same. i

Rigidly secured to the base-plate A are two metallic standards, B. Usedin connection with these standards B are the two bridges O and D. Thebridge 0 is made so as to slip over the standards, and to be placed atany required distance from the top of the standard, forming a shelf orrest for the helix E, and is adjusted and held in position by setscrewsa.

In the center of bridge 0 is a hole, around which is soldered a hollowtube of same circumference as the core of the helix E, so that when thehelix E is ready to be put in post tion it is slipped on over the tube.This tube holds the bottom of the helix E in position.

To the underside of bridge D is secured ring of suflicient size to admitthe upper part of the helix, so that when bridge I) is placed inposition on standards B the helix will be held firmly in position. Inthe top of bridge D is a hole that allows one end of the wire of helix Eto pass through. (See Fig. 2.) Sliding on the standards B is a metallicplate, F, on the upper surface of which rests theirou bar G, which ismade of soft untempered iron, and does not become permanentlymagnetized, the upper end of which is brought into and slides within thehelix E. On the lower end of bar G is formed a collar, which is looselyfitted in to a piece of insulating material, which is rigidly secured tothe metallic plate F. Also secured to the metallic plate F is thekneepiece H, which holds the vertical grooved shaft I, to which issecured the friction-wheel J.

Journaled in the base-plate A is the vertical shaft K, on the upper endof which are rigidly secured the gear'whcels L and L. The upper end ofvertical shaft K is journaled in the knee-piece M, attached to thebase-plate A.

The dial-plate N is rigidly secured to the knee-piece M. Passing throughthis dial-plate is the shaft 0, at one end of which is attached the hand1?. On the other end is the gearwheel Q, which is actuated by thegear-wheel L. The shaft 0 is jourualed to the knee-piece M. (See Figs.1, 2, and at.)

Placed in yoke R, which is supported by the knee-piece S, secured tobase-plate A, is a friction-cone, '1, set in such a position that one ofits sides will be parallel to the grooved shaft I, and so that thefriction-wheel J shall have an equal bearing in whatever position it maycome in contact with friction-cone T. This friction-wheel J, beingcarried by the plate F, partakes of the motion of said plate F, andhence the 't'riction'wheel J is brought in contact with a di'lferentportion of the friction-cone T accordingly as the intensity of theelectric current varies.

The shaft of the lower end of the frictioncone T has its bearing in theyoke It, and the upper end of the shaft of said friction-cone T has agear-wheel, U, the end of the shaft having its bearing in a metallicpiece, V. attached to the yoke It. (See Figs. 3 and at.)

Secured to the base-plate A are four standards, upon which is mountedand properly secured the train of wheels W, and so arranged that thegear-wheel X shall engage and actuate the gear-Wheel U of thefriction-cone T.

Secured to the knee-piece H is the rod Y, having its outer end crookedor bent down ward sufficient to come in contact with the revolving armZ, and performing the functions of a stop. (See Figs. 1 and 4.) Thespring b, one portion of which is attached to the yoke R and the otherend to one of the standards that support the train of wheels, serves tohold the friction-cone in place and equalize its bearing.

Secured to the base-plate A is a tube, (3, of

7 sufficient size and depth to form a receptacle for the balance-weightd.

Secured to the upper side of receptacle O is an upright rod, having anarm holding two pulleys, f, over which a cord, g, is passed, one end ofwhich is secured to metallic plate F, the other end to weights d. (SeeFig. 1*.)

The operation of my electrometer isas follows: hen a current ofelectricity ispassed through the helix E the ironbar G is instantlymagnetized, so that it is drawn up into the helix E, as shown by thearrow in Fig. 2. This action, in connection with the weight (1, causesthe metallic plate F, with the attachments, to be raised up, at the sametime releasing the rod Y from contact with the revolving arm Z, whichrevolves the train of wheels W, thus actuating the gear-wheel Uof thefriction-cone T, which is brought closely in contact with thefriction-wheel J on grooved shaft I, imparting a steady and positivemotion to the gear-wheels L and L, and which in turn imparts motion tothe gear-wheel Q, causing the hand P to revolve, giving a positiveindication on the dial-plate N of the amount or intensity of theelectric current passin In the example shown the train of wheels areoperated by the actions of things; but I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the use of a train of wheels like W. I may use anyother motor, such as weights or like devices, or electro-motive power.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The method of measuring the quantity of electric current by causingthe same to pass through a helix, and thereby operating a movable bar ofiron, said bar of iron being connected to any suitable mechanism movingan index or measuring-arm at each moment with a velocity to correspondwith the intensity of the current, said mechanism being actuated or putin motion by the movement of said bar, substantially as described, andfor the purpose set forth.

2. In an electrometer, the combination of the helix E, the movable barG, metallic piece F and its attachments, and cone T, gear-wheel U, andgrooved shaft I with gear-wheels L and L, actuating, by means of themovement of the rod Y, train of wheels or other mechanism for obtaininga regular motion or revolution of the cone T, and, by means of thefrictionwheel J on the grooved shaft I, transmitting said motion to asuitable index mechanism, substantially as described, and for thepurpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have ln-reunto set my handthis 12th day of December, A. I). 1878.

BENJAMIN F. CARD.

In presence of- LOUIS .V. FROST, A. J. KENNEY.

